Watership Down is special to me, mainly because the original 1978 animated film (based on the novel by Richard Adams) had been recorded onto a VHS tape at some point in my youth. I would watch that film most often during long trips to our vacation destinations in our family conversion van, which had a television and VHS player built into it. I came to see it as one of the greatest animated movies ever. It didn't shy away from the grim reality of life as a rabbit, struggling to survive. The story is deep, moving, and unforgettable.

Now, on the 40th anniversary of that film, Netflix and BBC have produced a CG animated Watership Down that closely mirrors it. It is broken down into a mini-series, and features some prominent English actors in some of the voice roles (including John Boyega, James McAvoy, and Ben Kingsley).

I have only watched the first episode, but it's clear that the original film heavily influenced this outing. Some of the voice acting is more subdued than in the original animated movie, most notably Cowslip and Kehaar. I prefer the more bombastic original versions, but I suppose these performances fit better with the more realistic visuals.

Speaking of the visuals, they're not great. The CG animation is a bit sub-par by today's standards, but it's not so bad that it distracts from the story.

I finished the series, and was pleased with it. It managed to capture most of what made the '78 animated version so special. I still prefer the older version, but for introducing this story to a new audience, it's perfect.

P.S. - I liked the little nod to author Richard Adams in the form of a nameplate on a street bench. Nice touch.